1) Where will Wales finish in the Six Nations and how to you see the other countries faring?

Andy Howell:

Fourth, fifth or last ... but no higher, I’m afraid. Six Nations champions Wales might be, but they’ve lost their last seven Tests, confidence has plummeted and Gatland won’t be there. The opening fixture, against Ireland in Cardiff, is pivotal. Lose it and I’d be extremely concerned. England and France to scrap it out for the title with Ireland, who host them each in Dublin, dark horses.

Delme Parfitt:

Third behind England and France and just in front of Ireland. With three games at home I take England as slight favourites for the title.

Simon Thomas:

Much will hinge on the opening game against Ireland. If Wales win that, I can see them retaining their title. If they lose, they could finish down in fourth. I expect a four-way battle for the trophy between Wales, England, France and Ireland.

Leigh Halfpenny, the best player in 2012, will carry on his good form. Of the other teams, flying Dutchman Tim Visser, who has qualified for Scotland, is one to watch and France No 8 Louie Picamoles will shine.

I think it could well be Toby Faletau. He’s been in good form this season and has a much better idea of what Test rugby is all about now after his breakthrough season in 2011.

Simon Thomas:

Leigh Halfpenny. Mr Consistent was Wales’ outstanding player of 2012 and I don’t see that changing in 2013, with his near flawless play and metronomic goal-kinking making him the key man.

Next page: Who will be Wales' No.10 for the final match of the tournament at home to England?

3) Who will be Wales' No.10 for the final match of the tournament at home to England?

Andy Howell:

I’d hope it would be the player who wears the jersey against Ireland in the opener because it would be a sure sign Wales have had a decent tournament. Dan Biggar deserves to get the nod first-up but should Wales fail to repair the damage sustained during the autumn whitewash, a fit Gavin Henson would come into the reckoning while desperation might see James Hook handed an SOS.

Delme Parfitt:

Rhys Patchell. Dan Biggar will probably start off with the jersey but the game being what it is he’ll likely have been claimed by injury by the last match. Can’t see James Hook getting the nod from Howley so it’s the young Blues man.

Simon Thomas:

James Hook. I would expect Dan Biggar to start the championship at No 10, but with some tough games along the way, you could well see the SOS going out to Hook by the end of the campaign.

Next page: Which exciting young Welsh star should we keep a special eye out for in 2013?

4) Which exciting young Welsh star should we keep a special eye out for in 2013?

Andy Howell:

There are plenty of great prospects coming through, most of them at the Ospreys. Lock Lloyd Peers could force his way into the senior reckoning. Of the names more commonly known, Justin Tipuric is pushing Sam Warburton for the Wales No 7 jersey.

Delme Parfitt:

Eli Walker. He’s shown for the Ospreys what a devastating attacking force he can be and he’s done it against good opposition as well – Toulouse for one. Walker should at least make the Six Nations squad, then fate will have to play its part.

Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, George North, Mike Phillips, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric should all make it. I think Gethin Jenkins may miss out unless he ups it in the second half of the season.

It should depend on form during the Six Nations and being guaranteed a place in the Lions Test team. Brian O’Driscoll, Jamie Heaslip, Sam Warburton and Chris Robshaw, who is a dark horse, are the leading candidates. I’m plumping for Heaslip or O’Driscoll because, if on top form, each of them would start and there’s not an Irish element to the coaching staff.

Delme Parfitt:

Brian O’Driscoll, but it could be on the proviso that he is a tour captain with his Test spot far from guaranteed. Though that’s not to say he won’t be first choice anyway. If Sam Warburton has a brilliant Six Nations, he can get back in the frame.

Simon Thomas:

A tough call, but I’m edging towards Jamie Heaslip. The Test skipper has to be certain of his spot and the inspirational Ireland No 8 falls into that category in my book.

Next page: How will the Lions fare against the Wallabies?

7) How will the Lions fare against the Wallabies?

Andy Howell:

There are plenty of improving yet experienced players in Britain and Ireland. They should have the power at forward but will they have the class behind? I’d expect the Lions to edge it.

Delme Parfitt:

Lose 2-1. As big as it is for the Lions, it’s just as big if not bigger for the Wallabies for whom it comes around only every 12 years. They will be at home, well prepared, they have great players and the Lions don’t have enough preparation time.

Simon Thomas:

Based on the unconvincing fare we’ve seen from the Wallabies over the past six months, I would go for the Lions to win the series, probably by a 2-1 margin.

Next page: Given the Graham Henry experience, what happens with Warren Gatland and Wales when he has finished his Lions duties?

8) Given the Graham Henry experience, what happens with Warren Gatland and Wales when he has finished his Lions duties?

Andy Howell:

Interesting question. If Lions win the Tests he might call it a day as Wales coach. If he wants to fulfil his ambition of coaching New Zealand, he needs to return home and his standing would be soaring on the back of a successful Lions tour. I’ve a view it could also depend on the Six Nations. If Wales flop, he might not fancy coming back here if he thought a realistic tilt at the 2015 World Cup was unattainable.

Delme Parfitt:

It very much depends on whether the New Zealand job is up for grabs. If it is, and the Lions win the series, Gatland may well leave Wales early. If not, he’ll be back and go through to the 2015 World Cup with Wales.

Simon Thomas:

I think the fact that Gatland has taken a sabbatical will stave off the burn-out that Henry suffered in trying to combine the two jobs and hopefully Gats will return triumphant and reinvigorated.

Next page: Where do you see our four Welsh regions finishing in the Rabo Pro12 League this season?

9) Where do you see our four Welsh regions finishing in the Rabo Pro12 League this season?

Andy Howell:

The Ospreys are our strongest team by some distance. The Scarlets started with a bang but have began to fall away. It will be interesting to see if they can regroup and hang on to a place in the top four. The Blues and Dragons will be also rans.

Delme Parfitt:

I think the Ospreys will finish third or fourth to make the play-offs, but, unfortunately, I see no room for the Scarlets in the top four with Ulster, Leinster and Munster vying for the slots. Mid-table mediocrity for the Blues, the Dragons nowhere.

Simon Thomas:

While the Scarlets have put themselves in a strong position, I can only really see the Ospreys making the play-offs. If they do, don’t bet against them retaining their PRO12 crown.

Next page: Who will lift the Heineken Cup?

10) Who will lift the Heineken Cup?

Andy Howell:

Not a Welsh team I’m afraid although I’d quite fancy the Ospreys for Europe’s second-tier Amlin Challenge Cup. I’m going for English champions Harlequins. Easiest group, a guaranteed home quarter-final and perhaps a semi on English soil.

Delme Parfitt:

Clermont Auvergne. Their double over reigning champs Leinster in the pool stages said it all about their credentials. They’ve come close in recent seasons but they’ll do it this time – and Lee Byrne will share in the glory.

Simon Thomas:

It should really be Clermont Auvergne’s year because they have been magnificent in the tournament so far this season. But I have a sneaky suspicion that Harlequins could go all the way and pip them in the final.

Next page: Will we see Gavin Henson return in a Wales jersey?

11) Will we see Gavin Henson return in a Wales jersey?

Andy Howell:

If he doesn’t this season, it will never happen. If he overcomes his injury problems, there’s a possibility of some Six Nations action for him. It depends on what sort of start Wales make to the tournament.

Delme Parfitt:

His latest injury set him back in terms of Six Nations squad selection, so no, I don’t think we will. It’s frustrating though, because at his best he still has so much to offer.

Simon Thomas:

You wouldn’t bet against it. The problem for Gav has always been staying injury-free and stringing together a run of games. If he can do that for London Welsh, then he could well be wearing another red jersey before too long.

Next page: What law change would you make?

12) What law change would you make?

Andy Howell:

I would sort the scrum out.

Delme Parfitt:

Greater simplicity, uniformity and consistency in the way the breakdown is refereed. Less pedantry from officials, and less of a penchant for penalising attacking sides.

Simon Thomas:

I would reintroduce rucking – proper rucking, not stamping or raking. That would sort out the breakdown at a stroke. You certainly wouldn’t see too many people killing the ball anymore!

Next page: Finally, what is your wish for Welsh rugby in 2013?

Finally, what is your wish for Welsh rugby in 2013?

Andy Howell:

For the many doom-mongers to get fully behind our four regions and for the Heineken Cup to be rescued and continue to grow because it’s the best tournament in the world.

Delme Parfitt:

That somehow our broken regional game can be fixed. The current product is desperately poor, the outlook is bleak and there appears no solution that isn’t going to cause uproar in some quarters. But one must be found if the elite game in Wales is to survive.

Simon Thomas:

Find a solution to our regional crisis. And, for me, that has to involve some degree of central contracting or top-up fees as a reward/incentive for regions producing international players.